Friday, July 24, 2015

A Bend in the River - my perspective

It was always on my mind to read Sir V S Naipaul’s work for reasons
unclear. It could be because he is bestowed with Noble Prize in literature
and of Indian origin or vice versa. The recent book I read of him was - A bend in the River.
Terrific. Brilliant. Masterpiece. I so much like his style of writing that I
am determined to read all his work. A few days ago there was a small article on
top 100 books to read and this book is the 90th and now I am
well aware of why it found a place in top 100’s.

The story in short:

The character Salim, Indian Muslim born in Africa witnesses the
post-colonial transformations with new government who also bring in bureaucracy
and corruption. Salim is deeply affected by all this but he is flexible to
adapt change, adapt new people and new Africa. His friend Indar who goes to
London for higher education leaves him jealous and insecure but Salim overcomes
that and is happy with his own small shop. Mahesh and Shobha are his friends
from India with whom he eats and hangs out. Though they are friends, there is always
a distance between them. Mahesh has his own way of doing things and is highly
influenced by Shobha, largely this couple is a typical hypocrite and so is
Salim. Sir Naipaul, beautifully points out the hypocrisy that governs Indian
mindset from every angle. How Mahesh and Shobha aren’t affected by the changing
situations is surprising. There is Zabeth, an African woman who buys stationary
from Salim and possesses mystic powers. Ferdinand is her son who is initially
difficult to get on with but later emerges as a very thoughtful person but
cannot escape from the consequences of changing Africa. People like Raymond and
Evette, man and woman, live in a pseudo life where Evette cheats on Raymond for
Indar and Salim. Finally with growing threat in Africa, Salim is forced to flee
leaving his shop, flat and car; in short without nothing he sets on a voyage
for new life. Sir Naipaul is brilliant in portraying the characters,
situations and everything kind of happens in front of you while reading.
Corruption, rebellious youth, an opportunist leader and common people - the
story touches every aspect and stirs the reader.

I couldn’t stop thinking that why has it always been about power? What
right does any community or country have over other community and country? Is
'Immigration' such a risk? if not financially then emotionally? A person of a
different culture moves, adapts and settles in a new country, amongst new
people and new culture but still tries his best to retain his own, whatsoever
changes he adapts and tries to be a loyal new citizen of a different culture
and country , he still is insecure! He will never be an indigenous. Sir Naipaul
beautifully brings up the controversial lifestyle of third world and first
world countries but what is to remember is that all these third world countries
have always been invaded, ruled and exploited by first world countries. If
development, reformation and prosperity comes only by dominating others then I
would prefer to always be a third world country citizen. What one needs to
understand is after churning out butter from these third world countries and
when nothing more was left, they were orphaned to deal with corruption and the
worst of all - poverty!

The story is all about how Africans were shipped as slaves, the Arabs
ruling Africa before Europeans, effect of post-colonial developments affecting
the immigrants. It is very important to realise that when a country is ruled or
colonised, is orphaned after milking out all benefits just like sugarcane
molasses! All colonies were left to deal with poverty, racism, corruption and
illiteracy. It was only today that I watched the famous debate rhetoric speech
by Dr Tharoor in Oxford, where he slapped 200 years of extortion during colonisation on Brits
in 15 minutes of his speech. The most agreeable point is that not only
financial, cultural and social damages are being done but ‘moral damage’ done
cannot be compensated. The Europeans, Americans were busy developing, reforming
and we Indians were fighting for our rights to live freely in our own country.
Why Indian research or African research hasn’t attained those
heights? Most of the scientific findings, research was done during
that time where people in colonies were illiterate and their resources were diverted to the ruling countries, this is the promenade reason why European countries have prospered in every aspect. Colonies were stuck in fighting for basics. Even
before the Brits stepped on Indian soil, caste-ism was prevalent in India but when
they left we were buried under the heap of discrimination on basis on colour,
caste and gender, poverty; bureaucracy, opportunistic politicians who
introduced corruption; in short it was a chaos!

The damage has been done, people who did bad are no more alive but we
have our country and freedom, we have resources and we have a vision. To cry
over spilled milk is a waste of time. This is not only about India but for all
colonies; it is difficult but not impossible!